Last Week in Boston

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View from the Top of the Hub, Boston's Prudential Center

Celebrate. Graduate. Move. 

Whew, what a week. I've been a bit tardy on the blog this week, but for a slew of excessively good reasons. We've been partying. Packing. Sometimes weeping. Laughing a good lot. Sleeping not a pinch. Eating and drinking with friends and family and taking in the last wonderful moments of our time here in Cambridge.

HBS Prom. For 30-year olds.

Dreams Come True, People.

This week something wondrous happened. My husband graduated from Harvard Business School with his MBA. I can brag on him because this is no small feat. I've been there to witness his journey every step of the way, watching his determination and discipline in utter amazement. Stevie spent years dreaming of going to Harvard for business. When we were dating, we would lay under the sun-soaked trees by the Sacramento River in Redding and dream about what it would be like if he actually got the chance to go to such a school; who we would meet, where we would live, and how we could possibly survive the cold winters in such a shivery, unknown city. It was a big dream. Some might think, "near impossible!" And yet this week, after two years of studying, learning about new industries, reflecting on societal conundrums, expanding his world view and rearranging his life, he walked across that stage at Baker Lawn, shook Dean Nitin Nhoria's hand and received that piece of paper he worked so hard for. Dream: Accomplished.

Our wonderful families came to visit, including my extra-special Auntie Shirley. She's an academic queen, she actually went to speak at another graduation the following day! She's too legit.

Ceremonies in Harvard Yard. You can't park you car in here. Too many fancy tufts of grass.

Congrats, Grad.

Stevie is a living example that dreams can absolutely come true. A dream just has to be paired with an enormous amount of self discipline, a drive to learn and a really encouraging support system. He is my absolute hero, because he didn't just show me that he can do something amazing. He taught me how I can do something equally as amazing, too, because when you work hard and keep a positive attitude, the world awaits your victory. There is much more I could share about his experience, about our time here in Boston, our love for this community and our fierce loyalty to this wonderful school that has changed our lives, but I'll stop short of becoming emotional and move on. Because with his graduation comes the other part: we are moving.

Last View out of our 4-story Window // Me: "Where did all our stuff go? And how did we fit it into this 9x9 space?? // Stevie: "I can fit inside our closet now... cool!" // Goodbye to 923 Mass Ave.

Move If You Wanna.

We spent yesterday moving out of our beloved TINY Boston abode. We loved our little place, where we often made late night cups of tea while he studied and watched TONS of movies during snow storms. We can only hope wherever we live next feels just as cozy and delicious to our homebody hearts. We moved everything we own (haha, it's not much) into a storage space for the summer because we are spending the next two months essentially goofing off and enjoying our last hurrah before the real world (read: WORK) starts. Most of you know what that means: On Tuesday, we leave this country for a month-long backpacking trip throughout Europe! Oh my we have bitten off more than we may be able to chew.

All I've got for the next 35 days. Is on my front and on my back. Gonna have to work on that posture under pressure.

Backpackers, On Balet!

So now, dear friends, I am writing to you from a very nice seat on a Greyhound bus, bound for New York City. Stevie is next to me, headphones in, and finally resting after our insane week. I hope he's dreaming of gelato. We will spend the next few days in the New York, meeting with brokers and checking out different potential neighborhoods to live. Fingers crossed that we are able to find an apartment, though all conventional wisdom has told us that is it too early to secure a rental for August. We shall see. August 1 is our move date. Did I mention to you that we are living out of our backpacks? For the next two months I have like, 7 shirts. I feel sort of like a hippie vagabond, homeless, void of stuff and armed with an insatiable travel bug. Ready to learn about the world's testimonial history of classical culture.

Thanks for being a boss reader! This adventure is about to heat up!

Love love love.

It's Official: We Are Moving!

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"Start Spreading the News, 

I'm Leaving Today..."

Well folks, it's official. After a lot of talk, prayer and dream sessions (filled with snack breaks) we have finally decided what we will be doing after my husband graduates from business school in May...

We are moving to New York City.

NEW YORK CITY!!

My favorite city on Earth. I am sort of shell-shocked that it's even happening. Stevie accepted a job in NYC, so after May we will be relocating. To New York. I am so stoked. I'm sure you can't tell. True story: ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of living in New York. And becoming an actress. It's true. It might sound naive and pathetic, but I admit that I am one of the many who romanticize this city (probably more than it merits) as the mecca of all dream locales. Now I have the chance to see if it lives up to the hype in my mind. My oh my. Let the games begin.

Autumn in New York.

We took a little trip to NYC in the fall to visit friends, and I got endlessly carried away with my camera.  Like I said, I just really love this place. Everything was interesting and colorful and characteristic, so it was easy to just photograph my brains out. Here are (more than a few) photos from that lovely rendezvous.

From Left to Right, Read it Like a Book

1. Church of the Blessed Sacramen // 2. High Line Park // 3. Tom's (Seinfeld Restaurant) // 4. Strawberry Fields // 5. A.G. Kitchen // 6. High Line Park // 7. High Line Park // 8. The Dakota // 9. High Line Park // 10. Central Park // 11. High Line Park // 12. Central Park (breakfast from Aroma Espresso Bar) // 13. Central Park Lake // 14. Chelsea Market // 15. The New York Times (ever-so appropriate, right?) // 16. Bethesda Fountain

The Ukrainian Institute // The Lincoln Center with the cutie couple Warren and Meredith!// Sarabeth's Bakery, Chelsea Market

Central Park lounging

Midtown //Obnoxiously Funny Billboard// Radio City Music Hall

Fig & Olive (Meatpacking location) with dear Hostetlers// Central Park // Fig & Olive bevvys

Times Square //Yes, you are looking at Snoop Dog // Evita (starring Ricky Martin, what a baller.)

Evita

Open to Suggestions!

As you can see, we had a mega-blast and we are thrilled to be moving to such a stellar city. Even though we are ready for what the next chapter holds for us, I am a little apprehensive, too. The real estate market alone can scare you. I invite you to journey with us as we relocate from Boston to NYC. Even though I've been to New York a lot, I'm not super familiar with the different neighborhoods. Do you have any recommendations for realtors to seek out or areas to live? Restaurants to try? We want to seize this opportunity for all that it is, so I am open to your suggestions! Thanks folks!